Trolley-wire hanger



(No Model.) f

0. P. STRASBURG. TROLLBY WIRE HANGER. No. 519,621. Patented May 8,1894.

ffiapizay Q 4AM in detail, reference being had to the accom- CHARLES F. s'rRAsBURe,

PATENT FFICE.

OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

TROLLEY-WIRE HANGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 519,621, dated May 8,1894. Application fil August 31, 1893. Serial No. 184;61'7. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. STRASBURG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and State of Nebraska, have invented new and useful Improvements in Trolley-Wire Hangers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of devices commonly termed trolley-wire hangers,

or clamps, for sustaining and insulating overhead electric wires.

7 It is the purpose of my said invention to provide a trolley-wire clamp formed in a single piece, having themaximum strengthrequired and of the minimum weight, or mass, of metal, the construction being such that a smooth and practically uniform surface shall. be presented to the trolley wheel, where sparking and the burning out of the trolley wire and clamp shall be prevented.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a trolley-wire clamp so formed that it may be caused to fit closely around the wire without materially straining the metal of the clamp, and make a smooth, firm, and permanent union of the parts having greater strength and. durability with materially less metal and consequentreduction ofweight, as compared with the clamps of this type now in use.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a trolley-wire clamp with a lug, whereby it may be connected to the insulator, the construction being such as to permit the connection to be readily made with any ordinary form and size of insulator, without the use of screws which are liable to work loose and become detached.

To these ends my invention consists in the several novel features of construction and in the parts and new combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and then more particularly pointed out and defined in the claims which conclude this specification. I a To enable those skilled in the art to which my invention pertains to make, construct and use the same, I will describe said invention panying drawings, in which- Figure Us a perspective view of a trolleywire clamp constructed in accordance with my invention. section of the same. tion, and Fig. 4 is an end elevation, showing the wirejseated in the clamp and permanently webs 3, of sufficient thickness to give the necessary strength and rigidity, without add Fig. 2 is a central transverse Fig. 3 1s a side elevaing materially to the weight. The upper eX- tremity of the lug 2 is forked, or formed with two similar portions 4, approximately rectangular in shape and having 'sufficient lateral projection to afiord space between said por-.

'tions for the insertion of the insulator, which will preferably be secured by means of a squared bolt inserted in an aperture 5, in one of the similar parts 4, its threaded end being passed through a circular opening in the other similar portion. In order to adapt the device to be used upon insulators of different forms and varying in size, I slot the lug 2 centrally, thecut being parallel with the length of the body-portion and extending into the upper portions of the webs 3, upon each side of the lug, as shown by the reference numeral 6, in Figs. 2 and 4. This slot enables the two similar portions 4. of the lug to be separated, within certain limits, or sprung apart, to admit an insulator of a size exceeding the normal space between said parts t. On the other hand, also, a sufiicient quantity of metal is removed, by the formation of the'slot 6, to 7 permit the portions4= to be drawn together,

under the force of the bolt and nut, in case 7 theinserted insulator shouldbe so to fit the space loosely. 7

The referencenumeral 7 indicates .the groove or seat, in the body-portion 1, for the reception of the trolley wire. This groove,

small as which is co-extensive with the length of the said body-portion, is .cut,or formed, of rectl the lateral walls are rounded off and the curved edges are dressed ofi, exteriorly, to preserve a uniform thickness, or substantially so, throughout. When the trolley wire is seated, or inserted in the groove 7, the lateral walls are drawn together at and near their edges, thereby clamping the wire and permanently fastening it. The edges of the lateral walls being drawn toward each other against the lower side of the wire, form a secure clasp without any practical interruption of the uniform surface upon which the trolley wheel travels, thereby avoiding the are, or sparking, by which the connection would be speedily injured, and in time destroyed. The rounded extremities of the lateral walls, also, remove the abrupt angles by which a more or less defective contact would be caused, and also avoid the loss of current by leakage.

By employing the rectangular form of groove the wire can be more easily seated therein, the metal is more firmly clamped around the wire, the device is better adapted for use with wires of varying size, and the clamp, when closed up, will make a smooth and uniform contact surface for the trolleywheel, which is not practicable where a circular groove is employed. By using a continuous groove, or seat, these results are materially promoted and all necessity for apply ing solder is avoided.

What I claim is- 1. A trolley-wire clamp havinga rectangular groove or seat for the trolley-wire, substantially co-extensive with the body-portion of the clamp and continuous, substantially as. described.

2. A trolley-wire clamp having a rectangular groove or seat, for the trolley-wire the two lateral walls inclosing said groove being rounded at their ends and dressed 0% to bring the metal to a thin edge, on each wall, substantially as described.

3. A trolley-wire hanger provided with a central lug having a forked end, said lug being centrally slotted longitudinally, the slot extending into the webs which brace and stiffen the lug, substantially as described.

at. A trolley-wire hanger having a bodyportion which is provided with a rectangular groove or seat for the trolley wire and having a central lug rising from the upper side of said body portion, to which it is braced by integral webs, the forked upper end of the lug, being divided by a central longitudinal slot extending into the webs, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES F. STRASBURG.

lVitn esscs:

WALTER A. Lnnsn, RAY (J. MERRILL. 

